Borders Tae Kwan Do is fighting fit
Borders Tae Kwon Do is based in Grantshouse and provides coaching, training opportunities and competition in the sport for participants from across the Borders. The club runs classes four times per week in Grantshouse Village Hall and provides after school classes in two local schools, Ayton and Duns (occasionally Reston), which are free of charge for the children who take part. At least twice a year the Club holds block sessions of 9 or 10 weeks at these schools.
There are currently 35 Club members (up from 23 in 2016) who range from age five years up to 46 years. The training offered enables members to seek qualification for competitions at the regional and national level. The Club entered students at the World Championships in July 2013, at which one student won a silver medal. At the Scottish Championships in September 2017, the Club won bronze. The club is affiliated to a governing body, Tae Kwon Do Association of Great Britain, British Tae Kwon Do Council and UK Sports Council.
In 2016, the organisation benefitted from a grant of £1,380 from the Drone Hill Community Fund to purchase a wooden breaking horse and 10 sparring kits, including head, hand, shin, and feet guards. The equipment has enabled greater skills development by the existing members and demonstrations plus trial sessions to now be run at several local schools not previously reached by the Club. As a result of the purchase, the Club’s members have been able to improve their skills significantly.
The Club’s black belt holders who are working towards their next belt level are finding the board holder a very useful resource, while the sparring kits help prevent injury for all Club members. Having the safety equipment held by the Club helps take the pressure of parents to purchase their own equipment and means they are happier for their children to continue to train with the Club.
Many of our students improved their performance and were able to train for their black belts and other competitions as a result of the sponsored equipment. They are required to demonstrate their ability to focus by breaking wooden boards. In addition, the Club wishes to spread the self-defence message more widely including through sparring and demonstrations at schools. The purchase of the equipment is enabling this and thereby progressing the Club, its members and their achievements
Katy Pitts, main instructor